‘Best Medicine’ duo brings comedy to Chilliwack stage to highlight mental health

Comedians John Perrotta, Justin Nichol and Byron Bertram are bringing laughter to a Chilliwack stage to help tackle PTSD and mental health. 

The comics have been tapped by the creators and hosts of Laughter is the Best Medicine, Ian Imrie and Michael Adamthwaite. They have been bringing people together through conversation, laughter and storytelling, and that’s all culminated into a night of awareness and comedy. 

“With a big dose of comedy, we’re putting the spotlight on something important that needs our collective attention and compassion: mental health awareness,” says Imrie. “We’re not just bringing the funny, we’re bringing communities together to share some laughs and maybe even a few awkward silences.”

Their goal is to unite first responders, veterans, organizations, partners, and survivors for a night that promises to lift spirits and tickle the audience’s funny bone.

Both Imrie and Adamthwaite are actors with impressive credits to their own names. But for the Nov. 12 show, they’ll be putting some of their favourite comedians in the spotlight. 

Justin Nichol is a high paced, loud and in your face comedian who doesn’t hold any punches. An every day, hard working guy, he will win you over with his take on life as a new father, and his frustration with how the world seems to work. Before the world shut down, Nichol was touring the country doing stand up comedy with highlights including Comedians on the Run, The U&I talk show, and an appearance at the Just For Laughs Northwest Comedy festival opening for Tim Dillon.

He’s also the creator and producer of Justin Nichols Comedy Brawl at House of Comedy BC, and has shared the stage with legends such as John Cleese, Jeremy Hotz, Mike Macdonald and Brent Butt.

Byron Bertram‘s biography describes him as an “only child with a undying need to be the centre of attention and in the limelight.” 

He started his a career as a street entertainer at the age of 16, which was inspired after learning how to juggle in a summer school for the performing arts program. His well received-comedy, escape, juggling show under the stage name “Byron from England” was a massive success at festivals, and fairs in over a dozen countries. In 2002 he became a fulltime stand-up comedian, with a natural talent for voices, accents, and impressions. 

Vancouver’s John Perrotta is a long-time club favourite, known as a charismatic storyteller whose adventures from childhood past to childhood present keeps audiences howling from coast to coast. An actor as well, Perrotta has appeared in Supergirl, the X-files and the Victoria Gotti Story as mobster Angelo ‘Quack Quack’ Ruggerio. He’s opened for the likes of Robin Williams, Kevin Nealon and Brent Butt. His stories about his childhood, relationships and the way things are are sure to leave audiences in stitches.

The Chilliwack show is the first of several to be held across Canada, and at each event there will be more than just comedy on tap. Chilliwack’s show will include special guest speakers, including Jan Folk from the Smart Recovery Society of Alberta.  

To join the conversation on mental health, Imrie and Adamthwaite hope people will tune into the Best Medicine Podcast on Youtube. 

Doors for Laughter is the Best Medicine open at 6 p.m., to allow time to check out a growing silent auction. 

“Lives are changed when we heal out loud,” Imrie says. “So let’s laugh, learn, and support each other in this important journey. Come for the comedy, stay for the camaraderie, and leave with a lighter heart!” 

Tickets are on sale now through the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.